Heywood Academy Blog - 20.3.26
Comic Relief began in 1985 when writer Richard Curtis and comedian Sir Lenny Henry set out to use the power of laughter to make a real difference. Their idea was simple but brilliant: bring comedians together to entertain the nation and, in doing so, raise money for people facing poverty and hardship in the UK and around the world. From its earliest events, Comic Relief captured the public’s imagination by encouraging everyone to “do something funny for money,” with comedians leading the way through sketches, performances, and joyful fundraising moments.
In this same spirit, we at Heywood Academy have been celebrating Comic Relief by coming together for an assembly where our students shared their very best jokes. Just like the comedians who helped launch Comic Relief!
Meningitis Update – Advice for Parents and Carers
We are aware of recent news reports about confirmed cases of meningitis in the UK. As of the evening of 18 March, there have been 15 confirmed cases nationally, and sadly this has included two deaths. We understand that this may be worrying for parents, carers, staff and students, and we want to reassure you that there is no further action required from schools or families at this time.
Public health guidance confirms that schools and colleges do not need to take any additional measures beyond normal good hygiene practices, which include:
· Encouraging regular hand‑washing
· Ensuring young people remain up‑to‑date with their vaccinations
For anyone wishing to read more, the following trusted sources provide clear, up‑to‑date information: · What is meningitis? Symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself – UK Health Security Agency · Meningitis Now (Meningitis - Symptoms, Causes and Treatments | Meningitis Now), · Information about the incident itself is available here - Cases of invasive meningococcal disease notified in Kent - GOV.UK)
We know that media coverage can understandably cause concern. Please be assured that local health partners are closely monitoring the situation. If any further advice or action becomes necessary, we will update you immediately.
Thank you for your continued support in helping keep our children and young people safe and well.
Yours sincerely,
Kuiama Thompson Director of Public Health & Communities / Deputy Chief Executive (Interim)
National year of reading
This term, our students have thrown themselves into the National Year of Reading, and we are so proud of the excitement and commitment they’ve shown. Below is a simple breakdown of how much reading our learners have logged so far, and what it tells us about their growing confidence and engagement.
How much are students reading?
· 7 students have logged 0–50 minutes of reading so far. These students are just getting started, and we’re encouraging them to build small, steady reading habits.
· 3 students are in the 51–100 minute range. They are beginning to show more regular reading patterns.
· 5 students have logged 101–200 minutes. This group is reading often and developing strong momentum.
· 2 students are between 201–400 minutes. They are showing sustained engagement and clear dedication.
· 2 students have reached the 401–800 minute bracket. This is a fantastic achievement and shows a high level of independent reading.
· 1 student has exceeded 800 minutes of reading. This is an outstanding amount of reading and a brilliant example to others.
Why this matters
This breakdown shows a lovely spread of progress across the school. Some students are just beginning their reading journeys, while others are reading regularly and enthusiastically. What’s most encouraging is that so many learners are logging their minutes consistently, showing that reading is becoming a habit, not a chore.
This is exactly what the National Year of Reading aims to promote:
· A love of reading
· Increased confidence
· Daily reading habits
· Opportunities to celebrate success
And we really are celebrating. The enthusiasm from students has been brilliant — they talk about their books, swap recommendations, and take real pride in logging their minutes. Across classrooms, we can see their excitement growing.
A huge well done to all our students
We are genuinely proud of the effort students are putting in. Their engagement, curiosity, and willingness to take part have made this initiative a real highlight of the term.
Please keep encouraging reading at home, even ten minutes makes a difference. We can’t wait to see how these totals grow over the next few weeks!
Ms Zobenica’s Weekly Update
Our Year 8 and 9 students have made fantastic progress in badminton. Their improvements in technique, rally consistency, and decision‑making have been brilliant to see. Many students are now displaying increased confidence on the court and demonstrating strong sportsmanship in every lesson.
Year 7 continue to impress as they implement new tactics into their netball games, from using space effectively to improving defensive strategies. What’s been especially encouraging is their ability to evaluate their own performances, identifying strengths and setting targets for improvement. Their maturity and willingness to learn have been outstanding.
Year 9 enjoyed the lovely weather this week on our outdoor education lesson at Healey Dell. The class explored woodland paths surrounded by stunning scenery, making the most of the fresh air and natural environment. A highlight for many was visiting the Fairy Chapel, where they were able to see a waterfall up close. This was an unforgettable moment that brought a sense of adventure and wonder to the day.
Ms Pugh’s Weekly Update
🌟 Year 8 Weekly Blog 🌟
What a fantastic and busy week it has been for our Year 8 students! 🎉 Here’s a look at all the exciting learning that has taken place across subjects:
📚 English This week, students have been researching and extracting key language techniques from the Whitechapel text in preparation for their upcoming extended writing piece. 📝 We even took learning outside, using creative methods like chalk and hoops to map ideas and explore language in an engaging, hands-on way. A brilliant mix of fresh air and creativity! 🌿✨
🔬 Science In Science, we have been delving into the fascinating world of plants 🌱 and exploring photosynthesis. Students have been using key scientific terms such as chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, glucose, and oxygen to explain how plants make their own food using light energy. 🌞 A truly illuminating topic!
🏰 History History lessons have brought the Tudors vividly to life! Students have explored some of the more gruesome aspects of the era 😱—including punishments, executions, and the harsh realities of Tudor life. It’s been a gory but gripping journey into the past!
🌳 Forest School At Forest School, students got their hands dirty planting new saplings 🌱 including hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, and rowan. These trees will support local wildlife 🐦 by providing food and shelter, while also improving biodiversity and helping our environment thrive 🌍💚
🍪 Food Technology In Food Tech, students baked delicious Jammy Thumbprint cookies 😋. They
learned key methods such as mixing, rolling, shaping, and filling with jam to create their tasty treats. A sweet success for everyone involved! 🍓
📸 ICT (Photography) Students explored photography skills by focusing on filling the frame 📷 around the school. They experimented with angles and composition to capture creative and striking images. Some fantastic shots were produced! 🌟
👋 Welcome! We are delighted to welcome a new student to Year 8 and hope they enjoy their time at Heywood Academy. 😊 We look forward to seeing them settle in and thrive!
Another brilliant week, well done, Year 8! 👏🎉
Ms Crossley’s Weekly Update
Year 7 – Investigating Extreme Sports
Year 7 have launched into the term with a high‑energy topic all about extreme sports. They have been:
• Reading articles about sports such as bungee jumping, snowboarding and parkour
• Learning how writers build excitement and tension through vocabulary and structure
• Taking part in discussions about the risks and rewards of extreme activities
• Gathering facts, descriptions and viewpoints to support their own writing
• Creating their own magazine‑style articles introducing an extreme sport of their choice
This unit helps students practice clear explanations, lively description and engaging non‑fiction writing while enjoying a topic full of adventure and adrenaline.
Year 8 – Victorian Crime Reporting
Year 8 have stepped back in time to the murky world of Victorian crime. Students have been:
• Exploring real and fictional crimes from the Victorian era
• Reading gripping newspaper reports and analysing how journalists told stories
• Discussing how crime was sensationalised to shock and entertain readers
• Investigating evidence, motives and suspects to build detailed accounts
• Writing their own Victorian newspaper reports based on mysterious cases
This unit helps students develop accuracy, clarity and an understanding of how writers present information—and sometimes twist it!
Year 9 – Victorian Sideshows and Curiosities
Year 9 are delving into one of the most fascinating aspects of Victorian entertainment: sideshows and curiosities. They have been:
• Studying articles and accounts describing circus acts, performers and travelling shows
• Exploring the social attitudes and prejudices of the era
• Discussing how people were represented and why Victorian audiences were so intrigued
• Considering ethical questions around performance, identity and exploitation
• Writing thoughtful, balanced pieces sharing their own viewpoints on sideshows
This unit gives students the chance to write with maturity, depth and empathy as they consider both history and human stories.
Ms Nicholson’s Weekly Update
This Week in Creative Arts
It’s been a vibrant and inspiring week across the Creative Arts departments, with students from all year groups diving into hands-on projects, exploring new techniques, and showcasing their growing talents.
Year 7 Art – Aboriginal Boomerangs
Our Year 7 artists have now completed their Aboriginal-inspired boomerang designs, and they are truly impressive. Each piece features carefully chosen symbols and patterns, showing a thoughtful understanding of Aboriginal art traditions. The attention to detail and use of colour really brought each boomerang to life—an amazing celebration of culture and creativity.
Year 8 Food Technology – Jammy Thumbprints
The Year 8 Food Technology classrooms have been filled with the sweet smell of freshly baked jammy thumbprints. Students explored texture this week, and it certainly paid off—every batch had that perfect balance of crisp exterior and soft, jam-filled centre. A delicious success all around!
Year 7 IT – Symmetry and Textures in Photography
Year 7 IT students took their learning outside this week, investigating symmetry and textures through photography. Using the natural environment as their canvas, they captured striking images that highlighted patterns in leaves, buildings, and even everyday objects. Their photographs show a fantastic blend of technical skill and creative observation.
Year 9 Design Technology – Art Deco Cushions
Year 9 Design Technology students have been channelling the elegance of the Art Deco movement in their latest textiles project. Their cushions, inspired by geometric patterns and bold shapes, look incredible. Even more impressive is their embroidery work—neat, precise, and full of character. A brilliant showcase of craftsmanship.
Year 9 Music – "Drunken Sailor"
In Music, Year 9 students have been learning the sea shanty Drunken Sailor. They’ve been developing the challenging skill of coordinating both hands to create layered rhythms, no easy task, but they are rising to the challenge with enthusiasm! The energy in the classroom has been fantastic, and the progress is clear to hear.
RISE: Focus on Inclusive Mainstream North West Conference.
Our very own Louise Needham and Michelle Rather were honoured to present at the RISE: Focus on Inclusive Mainstream North West Conference, hosted by the Department for Education. The event brought together more than 350 educational leaders from across the North West to engage in discussions around inclusion and the most effective practices for embedding inclusive approaches within education.
The morning featured a strong line-up of keynote speakers, including Vicky Beer CBW, Regional Director for the North West; Dame Christine Lenehan, SEND Expert Advisory Group; Angela Holdsworth MBE; Minister Georgia Gould OBE MP; Chris Tomlinson, CEO of Co-op Academies Trust; and Dr Tim Coulson, Director General of the Regions Group. Their talks focused on the recently published White Paper, how schools can ensure all learners are supported regardless of need, and examples of high-quality inclusive practice across the sector.
During the afternoon session, Louise and Michelle were proud to represent the New Bridge Group. Their presentation explored how schools can use data to drive inclusion, sharing best practice from Hollinwood Academy and Heywood Academy. Leaders were provided with an insight into how both schools shape their curriculum and assessment frameworks to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
Following the conference, both Louise and Michelle have had some lovely feedback that we would like to share with the wider school community:
"Your ability to demonstrate how data can be used not just to track outcomes, but to genuinely understand pupil needs and remove barriers to learning, offered our colleagues a powerful new lens through which to view inclusion.
On behalf of the entire region, thank you again for your commitment, preparation, and professionalism. We appreciate your willingness to support our work and our region." Vicky Beer CBE DFE Regional Director
"I really loved your focus on making sure the data always connects back to real children with real stories and journeys — those examples were genuinely inspiring." Kimberly Free DFE SEND Reform Lead
We are proud that our amazing staff are able to represent our Trust and share good practice more widely.
Mr Lord’s Weekly Update
Year 7: Science
Our Year 7 scientists have been investigating hazard symbols, learning how these important icons help us stay safe in the lab. They’ve also been exploring what happens when acids and alkalis react, discovering the salts formed during neutralisation experiments. Hands-on science is always a highlight, and Year 7 have embraced it with great enthusiasm!
Year 8: Science and Maths
In Science, Year 8 have turned their attention to the natural world, studying the structure of plants and leaves. Students have been learning how plants cleverly use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis, a key process that keeps our planet thriving.
Meanwhile, in Maths, they’ve been working with standard form, developing the skills to express very large and very small numbers in a clear and efficient way. This skill is especially useful in science, technology, and beyond.
Year 9: Science and Maths
Year 9 have just wrapped up their topic on cells, expanding their understanding of the building blocks of life. They’re now moving on to the world of atoms and compounds, beginning their journey into the foundations of chemistry.
In Maths, students have been exploring ratio problems, applying proportional reasoning to real-life and abstract contexts. This work supports both their mathematical confidence and their problem-solving skills.
